Pressure is mounting on FIFA President Gianni Infantino as numerous countries retract their support in response to the mismanagement of the World Cup sell-off. This raises questions about the significance of Infantino’s connections with various football confederations and the likelihood of a potential election challenge. Here, we examine the situation across different confederations.
UEFA, representing European nations, has taken a leading role in efforts to remove Infantino from office. The threat to boycott all FIFA competitions unless the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative was abandoned played a crucial role in its subsequent failure. In a harsh statement issued on Saturday, UEFA declared that the current FIFA administration has “not only lost UEFA’s trust but also that of many other members of the football community,” and committed to advocating for reform. Several UEFA member associations, such as the English and Welsh Football Associations, have rescinded their letters of support for Infantino’s re-election, and initiatives are underway to encourage others to do the same, further undermining his position.
Regarding the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), reports suggesting unified support for UEFA are premature; the organization is currently split. The AFC has voiced its opposition, albeit cautiously, to the proposed World Cup deal and has called for reforms within FIFA. Historically, the AFC has supported Infantino, but the leadership, particularly frustrated by how the proposal was presented, may reconsider its stance if Infantino appears vulnerable. However, some Asian federations are hesitant to see him replaced, and there remains a desire for unity within the AFC. Sheikh Salman, the AFC president, harbors personal ambitions and has been effective in maintaining cohesion among member states, but the dynamics could shift, especially with influential nations like Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia backing Infantino. A significant moment could arise from Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Hussein’s assertion of “blackmail.”
In Concacaf, which encompasses North and Central America and the Caribbean, there has been a strong denunciation of Infantino and his FFE proposal, which was initially rejected and subsequently criticized in an official statement. The communication from Concacaf’s 41 member associations characterized the proposal as indicative of leadership that has ceased to prioritize football, labeling it a “unilateral and egregious act of poor governance.” This statement effectively signals a lack of confidence in Infantino’s leadership. Notably, Concacaf President Victor Montagliani also serves as a FIFA vice-president and could be a viable candidate should there be a concerted effort among confederations to oust Infantino, despite his past reticence on the matter.
Patrice Motsepe, head of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has asserted that all 54 member associations are united in their support for Infantino’s re-election in Morocco next year.
In South America, the Confederation, Conmebol, has remained notably quiet since the uproar over Infantino’s proposed FFE. President Alejandro Domínguez has been focused on other matters, notably celebrating birthdays of various individuals and organizations in Uruguay, rather than addressing the FIFA situation directly. Unlike UEFA, Concacaf, and the AFC, which have openly rejected the FFE proposal, Conmebol issued a cautious statement that emphasized the importance of football while seeking further clarification and information. This shows a reluctance to confront FIFA openly, reflecting a desire to maintain a cooperative relationship with FIFA and keep negotiation avenues open.
The positions of Brazil and Argentina, two of the most significant football nations in South America, will likely influence Conmebol’s stance. Domínguez is tasked with managing these relationships, and it is expected that most other member countries will align with their lead. An industry insider noted that these federations are unlikely to challenge Infantino directly, aiming instead to maintain favorable relations with non-European nations.
Finally, the future actions of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) remain uncertain. New Zealand, the confederation’s leading member, quickly opposed the World Cup proposal, although the OFC’s official response was vague. There still exists a degree of support for Infantino among other member federations.
